Contactor and separation apparatus and process of using same

A method of retrofitting an existing unit operation comprising:

• selecting a vessel that is part of the existing unit operation, where the vessel has a vertical axis;
• removing structural components from within the vessel;
• installing a support tray within the vessel;
• installing a shroud and disengagement device combination vertically within the vessel parallel to the vertical axis, where the shroud has a length defined by a non-porous wall extending from the bottom end to a top end;
• and
• installing a bundle of fibers within the shroud and the disengagement device such that the bundle of fibers hangs vertically and parallel to the vertical axis,
• wherein the disengagement device,
• is connected to the top end of the shroud;
• has a porous wall that extends vertically from the top end of the shroud;
• and
• has a closed top configured to cause all liquids flowing inside the disengagement device to exit the porous wall following a flow path that is initially tangential to the vertical axis,
• wherein the support tray is connected to the shroud such that liquids introduced into the vessel flow vertically upward through the shroud and the disengagement device contacting the fibers.